Welcome to Just Tiki, a beauty, lifestyle, and texlaxed hair blog. I started Just Tiki as a way to blog about my texlax hair journey. Allow me to share a bit about me, my journey, and how this site can assist you with your hair journey. I’ve documented my entire journey from a small afro to Tailbone length.
I am Tiki, creator of Just Tiki. You may ask, “Who the heck is Cherrelle?” Cherrelle is my hair and she has its own persona. She is quite feisty and has a mind of her own.
My Texlaxed Hair Journey:
I have been on my healthy hair journey since Jan ’11. I big chopped in Sept. ’09, but I went back to the texlaxing July ’11. At that time, I was at Armpit Length (APL). I decided to go back to texlaxing because I was having issues with single strand knots (SSKs) and I realized I would not be able to maintain being natural at my ultimate goal length.
Texlaxing is what I knew and had always been familiar with…I was mainly been texlaxed, long before it had a name. I was only “relaxed” for a short period, 2006-2009 and it wasn’t by choice. When I moved to Florida, my new stylist did not understand (or care about) my preference for being texlaxed and not having bone straight hair. Towards the end of being relaxed, I started wearing more braidouts and twistouts to regain the style and texture I was used to while texlaxing.
This is not my preference.
I prefer to have a bit of texture and volume. Honestly, I don’t think I look right with that fresh relaxed look.
Texlaxed Hair Tips and Topics | Posts You Will Find Helpful
Below are posts to get you started and answer some of the questions you may have about texlaxing.
Texlax Process Part I: Moisture
Texlax Process Part II: Protein Treatment
Texlax Process Part III: Texlax Application
Texlax Process Part IV: Aftercare
Have You Had Any Setback?
I’ve had two setbacks along my journey. The first happened following my usage of the Nexxus ProMend line. I experienced severe tangling and I lost more than an inch of my ends trying to remove the tangles. Not only did it mend my split ends together but also it glued my healthy ends together. It was a mess!!! I can say the product works…a little too well but it works.
My next set back was due to slacking off and getting too happy with my shears and not using my split-ender.
Setback #2
What Is Your Goal Length?
When I first started my healthy hair growth journey, my goal was to grow healthy Armpit Length Hair (APL). After I reached that goal, I decided to grow the Bra Strap Length. I started to notice a pattern and as I reached each goal, I would move my goal to the next length.
My ultimate hair goal was Hip Length. I reached that goal in 2014 and decided to cut back to Waist Length to continue to grow in a blunt cut.
Beyond Hip Length Texlaxed Hair
Yes, another self-cut that ended much like the last time I used shears. This time it wasn’t as bad but I did manage to hurt my own feelings. I am not almost back at Hip Length and I have decided to let it grow as long as it will grow.
Why Do You Blog?
My reason for starting this blog was to track my hair growth and practices. It was a chance to get to know Ms. Cherrelle and her hair personality likes and dislikes. I wanted to track which techniques work best and produce the most growth and hair health. Over the years, I have noticed that I get the most growth and my hair is at its healthiest when I used Ayurvedic herbs and oils.
I have tried other products that produce amazing growth and healthy hair. I love to try new and different products and it doesn’t appear to cause any major issues with growth and retention.
I’ve also learned that my hair and scalp thrives when I co-wash twice per week. My hair just loves water and even plain water rinses are beneficial.
Additionally, I made the site public because at the time when I started there were not many texlaxed hair bloggers. There may have been one or two more. So many…especially naturals, criticized me but I’ve kept going knowing I was doing something that would help other divas with their journey. I am glad that I continued to blog and I am here if you have any questions. I hope to inspire other divas to start their own texlaxed hair blog and hair growth journey.
What Should I Expect?
No stuffy or stiff stuff. This is a casual blog with tons of personality. I am admittedly a character and eccentric. If you subscribe to the Just Tiki YouTube channel, you will see exactly what I mean…character! Most importantly, Just Tiki should be read with sass and fun because I am not at all an uptight person. Shoot, this is my place to let my hair down and socialize.
If you have any question or comments, you can expect a reply. I will NOT ignore you! I love to talk and I love chatting with my readers. Therefore, if you have a topic request, just send me a quick note and I’m happy to chat about it on the blog.
Lastly, I am now transitioning to natural; however, I will continue to post tips and information for my texlaxed ladies. Additionally, you will find there is beauty and lifestyle posts mixed into Just Tiki. Just Tiki is a site for all ethnicities and hair types. There is something here will apply to everyone…hair, nails, beauty, or life topics.
If you have any questions that are not answered, please feel free to email me at [email protected]
Thanks for reading my introduction and be sure to subscribe and follow me on social media.
Hi Tiki, I’m Dominique! I’ve been doing a little research about the texlaxed hair journey. i’m truly excited because I’ve tried the going natural and couldn’t deal. I started relaxing my hair less and I keep my hair in box braids or weave as my protective style. Now my question is once I begin my texlaxed journey can I still do weaves and braids as my protective style with texlaxed hair?
Yes ma’am! You sure can continue to use them, Dominique. I would say wait at least 4 weeks after texlaxing but I know some people who have done both within two weeks. If you do, I would do a protein treatment to strengthen your hair and go for it!
Hi, what is your natural hair type?
It was 3c/4a but my curls are starting to loosen as I get older.